The Price is right for Middlewich CC

Middlewich 1st XI staged a quick comeback this weekend with a comprehensive victory over league newcomers Tattenhall.

With Nick Gill’s men keen to get the season underway, the threat of a rain affected game soon became a possibility, luckily thanks to the experienced ground staff and some keen umpiring the only thing that was slightly delayed was the toss, which Tattenhall won and opted to take advantage of some overcast conditions and a dampened wicket.

Middlewich openers, Tom Shepherd and James Williams strapped on their pads and solidly began the home sides’ innings, which was on two occasions interrupted by the persistent weather. Shepherd (5) fell to the short ball, attempting a pull shot from Tattenhall’s opening bowler, which brought Cornford to the crease who was victim to a good delivery, nipping back and hitting the top of off stump. Middlewich staged a positive recovery with a productive partnership from Williams (46) and Richard Clorley (28) who took advantage of a fantastic surface, setting a foundation for the middle order to go about their business. Captain Gill showed some class with a well timed 53 from 65 deliveries, an innings which included 7 fours and six over square leg. LDT couldn’t capitalise on the form he showed the previous week which brought the returning wicketkeeper batsmen, Kristian Clowes to the crease along with all rounder Stephen Bliss (18). The lower order pair briskly guided Middlewich to a score in excess of 200 with Kristian departing for 40 from 28 in the 46th. Some good running and a couple of late blows from Stuart Price (18) had the home side post a respectable 216-8 from their 50 overs.

Tattenhall’s reply was given a shaky start thanks to some superb swing bowling from James Cornford, who more than made up for his earlier hiccup, returning figures of 2-26 from 9 overs. Notably removing the visitors numbers 2 & 3 without a single run coming from the bat. Fowling a slight recovery from the opening batsmen and John Gibbon (32) LDT came into the fray and produced a well directed yorker to remove Coppack (14) from there on in the Middlewich seam attack capitalised on the momentum with Stuart Price producing remarkable figures of 5 overs, 5 maidens, 0 runs for 4 wickets whilst young gun Sam Brothers showed his potential with some attacking bowling, resulting in 3 wickets from his 4.5 overs.

Moment of the day
Opening bowler, James Cornford, delivered the perfect inswinger to remove Tattenhall’s Kiwi, Dan Power. James continued to take advantage of his bowling form and guided the home side into a winnable position from his 9 over opening spell.

Tattenhall were eventually all out for 94 within 29 overs as Middlewich took full honours and a welcome 25 points to push them up to 6th in the CCL Division 1. Just a single point behind Oulton Park, who will play host in this coming weekends round of fixtures.

Captains Corner:
“I am delighted with our performance today, as a squad I don’t think we could have asked much more of each other. The key for us now is to keep rolling with this momentum, train hard and look to produce the same quality at Oulton Park next week”